The 1998 Audi A6 is a wagon that came with a 2.8L 6-cyl engine. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Midsize Cars, Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.8L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 15–17 city / 22–25 highway / 18–19 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $4,350–$4,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 468–494 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 3 configurations: A6, A6 quattro, A6 Wagon quattro |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls covering the 1998 Audi A6. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 TT Roadster, 2000 TT Coupe, 1999 Audi A8, 1998-2000 Audi A6, and 1999-2000 Audi A4 vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) that do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI…
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, the air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with halogen low beam headlights, certain connector pins in the headlight switch connector come into contact with each other causing a short circuit. Note: vehicles with xenon low beam headlights are not affected because the circuit in these vehicles contains a fuse, which precludes excessive…
Risk: This condition could lead to overheating or fire.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.8l, v6 5-valve engines, and automatic transmissions, while driving during extremely low ambient temperatures the throttle may freeze in an open position due to ice accumulating in the throttle body.
Risk: If this occurs, the vehicle may fail to reduce speed when the driver lifts his/her foot from the gas pedal. This loss of vehicle control could result in a crash without warning.
On certain passenger vehicles, if a driver's knees push against the knee bolster (crash element) located under the dashboard, it can contact the headlight switch wiring harness, and an electrical short could occur.
Risk: A fire could originate in the left dashboard area.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or…
Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly.
Risk: If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. A control valve in the vacuum hose connecting the brake booster to the intake manifold may not open or close fully at temperatures below -4 f under certain driving conditions.
Risk: This condition could cause insufficient vacuum to be provided to the brake booster.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with quattro drive system which employs a fuel and fuel vapor leak detection system. If the vehicle is refueled shortly after the engine is started, and is kept running while being refueled, the fuel vapor recovery system could produce sufficient back pressure to cause fuel to be…
Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, fuel spray could result in fire or possible personal injury.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine backfires during a cold-start, an air screen which is loosely seated in the air flow meter can become damaged.
Risk: Screen pieces could enter the intake air flow system and prevent the throttle plate from returning to its full idle position.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During pre-assembly of the fuel tanks, an incorrect filler neck was installed causing the filler neck to not "match" the fuel cap.
Risk: This condition could allow fuel to escape and if an ignition source was present, a fire could occur.
Owners have filed 130 complaints about the 1998 Audi A6 with NHTSA. 6 reports involved a crash and 7 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 4 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 80 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Audi A6. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
This communication is issued to inform dealers of updated shipping regulations related to lithium ion batteries.
This communication is issued to remind dealers of the repair validation process for repair group 19. 2005-2019 A3, 1996-2019 A4, 2008-2019 A5, 1992-2019 A6, 2012-2019 A7,
This informational bulletin contains technical information for when there is condensation visible on the inside of the headlight, taillight, fog light, side marker light,
This special notice is to inform dealers to return all part numbers listed in the document and order the superseded part numbers going forward.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 6 defect investigations covering the 1998 Audi A6.
Driver's side dash fire
Volkswagen of america, inc. (voa) conducted a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 04v133) to add a plastic cover to the top section of the knee bolster crossmember to prevent contact with the headlight switch wiring harness.the scope of the original recall covered model years 1998 through 2004 with vehicle production da
Stuck-open throttle
Vwoa has recalled approximately 28,300 my 1998-99 A6 vehicles in cold weather states that experienced the highest rate of throttle icing incidents in the subject vehicles (04v-495).the failure rate in the a4 and passat vehicles is much lower than in the recalled vehicles.odi will continue to monitor the experience in t
Stuck-open throttle
Complaints received by odi and Audi allege that, in extreme cold weather, the throttle may unexpectedly fail to return to idle when the accelerator pedal is released, making it difficult to stop the vehicle.in march of 2004, Audi performed a series of tests to investigate the possible causes of throttle icing.Audi conc
Steering wheel heater overheats
This pe was opened based on four odi complaints that the steering wheel overheats. Vw has shown that moisture and prespiration permeate the steering wheel cover causing the heating element to corrode.this corrosion may cause a small, localized area of the steering wheel to experience a brief duration of overheating.the
Brake and clutch pedal bracket
Fuel expulsion
By letter dated march 22, 1999, volkswagen notified NHTSA that it would take safety recall action to correct the spitback problem on all the subject vehicles.based on the manufacturer's recall action (odi 99v-058), this investigation is closed.
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 1998 A6s that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 1998 Audi A6; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.